George Howie

     George Howie departed this life on July 2, 2017 surrounded by his loving family; a loving, kind, generous and respected gift to all who knew him, taken too soon.
     Born May 20, 1955 in Kab-Elias, Lebanon, George came to the United States in 1961 and settled in Lawrence with his parents and siblings. He graduated from Lawrence High School and went on to open The Grocery Bag variety and sub shop at 54 Haverhill Street in Andover, MA in 1977. Shortly after, George moved to Andover and created deep ties in the community. For over thirty years George welcomed thousands as they walked through the doors of “The Bag” and treated everyone like family. He was always ready with a warm mischievous smile and always willing to lend a hand. It was a proud day when George and his son, Jonathan renovated and reopened the Grocery Bag in 2011 as Mr. Takeout. George remained active in the new venture until he recently retired.
     George was a skilled billiards player and spent much of his younger years competing at a professional level. He also enjoyed gardening, talking politics, the regular morning coffee clutch at the Grocery Bag with friends and vacations at the Cape with family and friends.
His greatest pride and joy in life will always be his devotion to his family. George was a devoted father, grandfather, son, brother, and uncle. George took every opportunity to show appreciation and love to his children, family, and friends. His greatest joy over the past nine years has been spending time with his three beautiful granddaughters: Abigail, Olivia, and Grace. He was an amazing Jido (grandfather).
     George is survived by his children, Attorney Nicholas Howie and his wife Megan (Gaudette) Howie of Wilmington, and Jonathan Howie of Andover; brother, Edward Howie and his wife Marie of Savannah, GA; sisters, Mary Howie of Windham, NH, Norma Howie-Ballway of Tewksbury, Paula (Howie) Hallam and her husband Jay of Round Hill, VA; his former wife, Donna (McAllister) Howie of Lawrence; his dear longtime companion Eileen Hart of Andover; nieces and nephews, Joseph, Nicole, Christopher, Justin, and Brandon Howie, Joseph, Michael and Mary Ballway, Rachel and Sara Hallam; and many loving cousins.
George was also fortunate to sustain life long relationships with his childhood friends, further validation of his kind and loving spirit, among them Kevin Cote Sr., Chris and Steve Yazbek, Joey Homsey, and Ray Bisson.
     Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Thursday, July 6, 2017 from 4:00-8:00 PM at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley St., Methuen. His funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 7, 2017 at St. George Orthodox Church, 8 Lowell St., Lawrence. Burial will follow at United Lebanese Cemetery in Lawrence. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 or www.stjude.org. For directions or to send condolences, please visit www.cataudellafh.com.

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